Iron levels - feedback

[Chocolate123Lab]

Hello friends,

Just wondering if I could get some feedback regarding my most recent blood tests? I'm not sure exactly what I'm looking at and which are the significant numbers I'm looking at?

They are as follows:

Serum iron level: 15.18 umol/L

Se unsat iron binding capacity: 39.7 umol/L

Serum TIBC: 55 umol/L

Saturation iron binding capacity: 28 %

Serum Ferritin: 136ug/L

I should note that my neurologist wanted me to take this blood test whilst on my current iron supplements (100mg of ferrous fumarate with vit c every second day), as opposed to having a break from them as is often suggested on this forum and RLS-UK.

I can see my Serum Ferritin has room for improvement, but not sure about the other and which one of these results is the Transferrin Saturation. Perhaps this is the same as the Saturation Binding capacity?

Many thanks

JP

[SueJohnson]

You should have ignored your neurologist as now you don't know what your ferritin really is since taking the iron within 48 hours falsely elevated it and some of the other figures.

Continue taking your iron but ask for a new test.

[Chocolate123Lab in reply to SueJohnson]

Will do Sue. Thanks so much. J

[Joolsg]

Oh good lord. Your neurologist needs to go back to med school.Taking iron supplements within 48 hours of a full panel blood test will artificially raise the serum ferritin figure. I give up!

Anyhow, your serum iron needs to be above 60ųg/L.

As SueJohnson says, keep taking iron and arrange a new blood test BUT this time- stop the iron 48 hours before.

[SueJohnson]

Yes Saturation Binding capacity is the same thing as Transferrin Saturation.

[Chocolate123Lab in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you Sue! That is good to know. Have booked in for more blood test (private) as my local surgery wasn't too keen on offering them again.

[SueJohnson in reply to Chocolate123Lab]

That's great although what a shame you have to pay and do it privately. I'm sure you have seen this but just to make sure: Stop taking any iron supplements including in a multivitamin 48 hours before the test, don't eat a heavy meat meal the night before and fast after midnight. Have your test in the morning before 9 am if possible.

[Chocolate123Lab in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you Sue. I have seen that before, and was a little surprised when my neuro wanted me to keep on my iron supplements. But there you go. Going forward, I trust the advice on this site more that the specialists....